Praise for Declan Burke: “Burke shows again that he’s not just a comic genius, but also a fine dramatic writer and storyteller.” – Booklist. “Proust meets Chandler over a pint of Guinness.” – Spectator. “Among the most memorable books of the year, of any genre.” – Sunday Times. “A hardboiled delight.” – Guardian. “Imagine Donald Westlake and Richard Stark collaborating on a screwball noir.” – Kirkus Reviews. “A cross between Raymond Chandler and Flann O’Brien.” – John Banville.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Along Came A Spider, Again

Found guilty of murdering her husband seven years ago, and sentenced to a mandatory life sentence, Catherine Nevin’s (right) story could be headed for a silver screen near you, according to a piece on literary agents by Alison Walsh in yesterday’s Sunday Independent. Written by Liz Walsh and Rita O’Reilly, THE PEOPLE V CATHERINE NEVIN recently secured a film option via the good works of its agent, Jonathan Williams, although no reason is offered as to why the tale of the woman dubbed The Black Widow should be considered movie material seven years on. Spare a thought, meanwhile, for Niamh O’Connor, whose THE BLACK WIDOW: THE CATHERINE NEVIN STORY actually won the battle of the best-sellers in the wake of Nevin’s conviction. Quoth the O’Brien Press blurb elves at the time:

Four years later Catherine Nevin stood in the dock and listened impassively as a jury found her guilty of murdering her husband, and guilty on three counts of soliciting others to murder. The trial had kept the entire country enthralled, as every day more bizarre stories emerged: contract killers, money laundering, the IRA, sexual affairs, plastic surgery, contacts in high places. It had all the ingredients of a bestselling thriller, but this was real life, and with a real victim.